A Kenyan Shoe Designer Steps Up

When Cyprian Kisuli designed his yellow and black shoe, made from leather and textured suede, he did not think it would wow judges.
Image Credit: Business Daily

When Cyprian Kisuli designed his yellow and black shoe, made from leather and textured suede, he did not think it would wow judges.

In Prague last week, he beat 10 finalists to win the Bata Young Designers challenge.

“I entered into the competition without thinking that I stood a chance of winning. I wanted to design a shoe that I am comfortable wearing,” he says.

The 24-year-old’s love for illustrations and Konza city inspired his shoe design.

“It has very many illustrations on it. It was my first time taking part in anything of such a magnitude as the Bata Fashion week,” says Cyprian, a Master’s degree in Art and Design student at University of Nairobi.

He joined the competition after being encouraged by his lecturers.

Two Kenyan finalists

Bata, a footwear company was celebrating 125 years in the market and 80 years in Kenya started the competitions last September.